Time to start my build, 82' Seca... officially cafe racer?

Well I have read a lot on this sight learned quite a decent amount of good information although not nearly as much as I need.

I got the Seca for 200 bucks from a friend of mine who just didn't have the time to keep up on the bike anymore. I have read a lot about what to do when first purchasing the bike and going through brakes, tires, etc.

Jump to today, I have started to reshape the stock seat. I am going for a cafe'ish build, i just like the aesthetics. I have lots of things planned for the bike I look forward to the journey.

Question for today is, should I spray anything on this foam before I attempt to reupholster it? The stock foam had a film on the outside that I obviously filed through while reshaping. I'm assuming this is a waterproof/resistant coating. Is there anything out there that I should spray on prior to a vinyl cover?

A couple pics of where it sits right now. Also, how do I get these front discs off? The tabs block access to the bolts, should I just bend them back temporarily? Seems like a silly question.

 

Re: Time to start my build 82' Seca, Cafe'ish?

Locking tabs: Short answer is YES.

Long answer:

Use some sort of a punch (I used a flat blade screwdriver) and a hammer to bend the tabs back to access the bolt heads.

A word of warning: The tabs may crack or break when you bend them back. Make sure you inspect them and install new locking tabs if they do.

 

Re: Time to start my build 82' Seca, Cafe'ish?

Thanks, I'm gonna tear them off this week to repaint the wheels. I'm not too sure if I should go powdercoat or just spray can rim paint.

It's so hard to stay in budget! I'm thinking of just making a set from scratch, this stock seat isn't working even though I wanted it to so badly. I think I'll try and see how this type of seat turns out.

 

Re: Time to start my build 82' Seca, Cafe'ish?

"It's so hard to stay in budget." Understatement here :lol: ! REALLY gets away from a cafe style but I like that seat...

skillet

 

Re: Time to start my build 82' Seca, Cafe'ish?

Here's my 2 cents on Powder coating.

If you are going to keep it, at least for a while and aren't too worried about budget then sure. If you might flip it shortly after then just go with a good rattle (automotive) can and clear sealer/coat, just make sure you give it plenty of time to harden and cure before handling or mounting tires. In my experience Pcoating will help sell the bike bike it's not something a buyer will pay more for in purchasing. (kinda like new tires)

 

Re: Time to start my build 82' Seca, Cafe'ish?

Just a small update. I was really hoping to get the stock seat to work but I've abandoned it altogether. I just chopped the frame and am going to weld in a U-bent pipe to get that desired seat look.



Hopefully there will be enough clearance for the rear tire. I'm a bit worried about it but maybe I can roll the seat pan up a few inches through that tunnel for some extra room.





Also I redid the front wheel bearings, they were beyond bad. I am not sure if I have the new bearing set all the way in though. It seemed like it was, it wasn't going in any further but I can't get the spacer all the way in. I don't remember if it stuck out this far before I pulled it.





A shot from the speedo side, I dont think it is quite engaged either. Can't take it for a ride right now to see if it working or not.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

Also, anyone know how high I can go with rear shocks? Right now they sit at 12 1/2 inches but if I went to 13 inch sportster springs would that kink up the drive shaft?

Are the sportster springs going to be much stiffer and help to keep the rear tire from traveling up as far?

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

Wanted to say NICE job on that U-shaped bend!!!

skillet

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

Excited to see how this seat turns out, I've been looking to do the same type of seat on mine.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this

Got some more progress done on the XJ. I finished the rear hoop on the frame.

I lathed some plugs that fit the inside diameter of the frame and the inside diameter of my frame loop. I then welded the pieces together and the plug welded.











I also cut off the remaining tabs and now I have to find a way to attach the 16g sheetmetal seat pan to this frame.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

Also I have an important question. These rear shocks are pretty worn out so with a buddy and my weight on the bike a good bounce could get the tire to touch where the seat pan will be. This is more weight than will be on the bike but if my wife rides I don't want to have to worry about it.

If I put on harley sportster 1200 shocks do you think it would stiffen it up enough so that it wouldn't be a problem? They are 12.5 inches eye to eye when on it's own weight, how high can I go before I have to worry about the drive shaft kinking?

Thanks guys

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

Bumping in hopes of getting an answer so I can buy these shocks

Anyone have experience with the 1200 shocks? Really stiff?

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic ... rt=15.html

Maybe p.m. samson see what he says.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

slugs

nice work mate

 

Re: Time to start my build 82' Seca, Cafe'ish?

Sorry to threatjack, but what mufflers are those? I love then way they look.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

I believe the OEM shocks are also 12.5"; I have seen where others have found that 13" is about the limit on rear shock length for the shaftys. No idea what the spring rates are for the H-D shocks (OEM? Aftermarket? New? Used?). It seems most OEM shocks are out of damping force after 12K miles or so even if the springs are stil good. You could check the Progressive Suspension site to see what they would spec for a 650 Seca replacement shock spring rate, then look at the optional springs' rates.

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

Perfect information, thanks Zap. I had a feeling 13 would be the longest I could go. I'm pretty worried the tire is going to hit the seat pan.

 

Re: Time to start my build 82' Seca, Cafe'ish?

Not sure if you're talking about mine or the example picture I posted. Either way, mine are stock and I believe those are stock in the example as well. I do like the look of those as well. Would fit the inline 4 nicely

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

nice job with the frame alterations mate, I wish I could do a similar mod, but here in australia, that would mean I would have to get an engineer involved to certify the mod..... and THAT would blow my non existant budget.

OZ

 

Re: Time to start my build, 82' Seca...we'll see where this goes

Wow, that's strict, time to make friends with an engineer!